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Manchester United vs Manchester City – Keys to Victory

By Daniel Feliciano

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The Manchester Derby has turned into arguably the biggest game of the season for both of these teams after results in recent weeks, with both sides now involved in the ‘rat race’ for Champions League football.

Manchester United’s five wins in a row, including victories over Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa have seen Louis van Gaal’s men rise to third position, eight points clear of fifth placed Liverpool and a point ahead of their city rivals going into this weekend’s crunch tie.

With Sunday’s game so huge, we take a look at five key battles that will swing the pendulum in either direction towards a giant three points.

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David De Gea vs Sergio Aguero

The battle of the former Atletico Madrid stalwarts. David De Gea has risen to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world in the last two years, with his consistent performances winning Manchester United more than a handful of points to keep them in the rat race.

While Aguero is arguably the best striker in the world when fully fit, he isn’t quite right at the moment. The Argentine striker has 17 league goals this season for Manchester City but is without a goal since February 25th (556 minutes), meaning he is looking to get back on track.

Sergio Aguero has four goals in his last three Manchester Derbies and De Gea will be looking to ensure he continues his goal drought if Manchester United are to extend their lead in third place.

Ander Herrera & Marouane Fellaini vs Fernandinho & Yaya Toure

A midfield battle for the ages. Okay, not quite, but it’s the most even battle in a Manchester derby in the last five years. Brute force, meets elegance and energy when these four square off at Old Trafford. Manchester United will have an ace up their sleeve though if they line-up as expected, with Michael Carrick being an extra man at the heart of the pitch.

Using the strength, energy and calm head of the three will mean Manchester United could dominate the game from midfield against their rivals for the first time in a long-time and it will be key to success.

Toure’s dominance in this fixture has stemmed from him being able to bully the Reds over recent years but Marouane Fellaini showed in the reverse fixture earlier this season that he is capable of matching the Ivorian in a physical battle. With the form book going out of the window for teams, Fellaini’s new found confidence could be huge in seeing him win this battle again and helping Carrick and Herrera dictate the tempo of the game for the home side.

Wayne Rooney vs Joe Hart 

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England team-mates, good friends but this Sunday sees two Manchester icons go head-to-head once again. Joe Hart is a Man City legend and whether you like him or not, Wayne Rooney is Manchester United legend. The Reds captain is just 20 goals away from overtaking Sir Bobby Charlton as Manchester United’s all-time top goalscorer and is already the top scorer in Manchester Derby history and will be looking to extend that record.

Rooney’s form since returning to the lone-striker role has been prolific, with seven goals in eight games. His pace, power and ability to go beyond the last defender or drop deep to receive the ball have been key to van Gaal finding balance in his side and has been one of the major reasons for the return to form.

While Joe Hart is a top goalkeeper and will know what this game means more than anyone else in the City squad, he’s in for a tough game keeping out his national team captain.

If Rooney can strike early, United could be in for a comfortable afternoon. If Joe Hart can stay strong, it could be a frustrating evening for the Red Devils.

Louis van Gaal vs Manuel Pellegrini

It’s not often that a game of this magnitude is decided off the field but the Dutch coach is known for his ability to change a game from the touchline.

Pellegrini is expected to continue with his preferred 4-4-2 system, which would leave van Gaal open to dominate from the start with his preferred 4-3-3. Should it not go to plan for either coach though, both will have the resources and experience to change it.

City’s squad is arguably stronger and while Pellegrini isn’t the best at changing the tide of a game from the touchline, he will have options on the bench ready to perform in such a huge game regardless of what team he decides to start with. Van Gaal on the other hand will be starting with his strongest hand and while he’s more than capable of adapting the system, shape and even personnel his substitutions have been questionable on occasion this season.

While decisions before the game could shape the end result, decisions during the game will also have a huge impact on who walks away from Old Trafford with all three points on Sunday afternoon.

Next: Robin van Persie declares himself fit for Manchester Derby

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